Mayweather Calls DeGale Special

Floyd Mayweather has praised James DeGale as a special boxer ahead of his unification bout against Badou Jack.

The undefeated Mayweather, who is 49-0 promotes Jack , who will unify his WBC super-middleweight belt with DeGale’s IBF belt on Saturday.

“He’s not a pushover,” Mayweather told Sky Sports.

“When a guy can go out there and win a [Olympic] gold medal and then get in the professional ranks and win a world title, he’s something special.

“It is a great-match up between the two fighters. Badou Jack has had a tremendous career and he still has a lot more left.

“This guy used to walk to the boxing gym, take the bus to the boxing gym, and left his country to come to another country to accomplish his goals and his dreams. I am happy that I am helping him accomplish everything he wants to accomplish.”

Jack added: “I am very, very confident. I am going to this win IBF belt. At the Barclays Center it can’t get no bigger than this. This is the place to be.

“Even though I am 34 this year, I feel like I am in my prime. I am getting better every day.

“I am going to be the smarter fighter, I have a smart corner, smart trainer and they know that they’ve got a perfect game-plan. I am going to show you who is the best super-middleweight on Saturday night.

“I believe I am the better fighter, better fundamentally. All that flashy stuff, we’ve got something for that. In the sport’s circle anything is possible, but if I get him hurt I am going to get him out of there.”